Daytona Should Put Tennis Ball Back In Association's Court

Opinion - OUR VIEWS

City Commissioners Should Vote Against Using $1.25 Million To Help Fund The United States Tennis Association's Florida Headquarters.

May 3, 2000

Tennis, anyone?

The answer from the Daytona Beach City Commission tonight should be, "Not just yet.''

Commissioners are being asked by the United States Tennis Association to chip in $1.25 million toward a $2 million tennis center that would become the association's Florida headquarters. After the commission's vote today, Volusia County will vote Thursday on whether to contribute $500,000.

That isn't chump change. It's a lot of money, and it doesn't make sense to rush the decision. The county, especially, should wonder whether it's wise to sacrifice so much money from a fund that was started to create good jobs. The USTA's Florida operations would create only 15 jobs, and it's unclear just how much those jobs pay.

Did the county have tennis courts in mind when it decided to set up that fund?

It's curious that some elected officials who gnash their teeth when spending much smaller amounts seem so eager to pony up big bucks for a private venture whose true value is ambiguous at best.

Both the city and the county should slow down this train, even if the USTA wants an answer before its board of directors meets on Saturday. The public has only known about it for a week or so. People should have more of a chance to weigh the merits of this plan.